You’ll Never Believe What I Heard   

Come October 17, Hollywood just might feel its collective ears ringing as some of the nation's most prolific gossip columnists gather in New York City for a first-ever gossip summit and awards presentation.

Hosted by entertainment Web site eYada.com, the Gotham gabfest promises to gather such luminaries as syndicated columnist Liz Smith of Long Island's Newsday, Michael Musto of the Village Voice and MSNBC's Jeanette Walls to discuss how gossip is changing in the digital age and to honor the eYada Personality of the Year.

"It's something we've always wanted to do," says George Rush, a longtime gossip writer and summit co-host. "The Internet is changing things so fast, and there aren't too many occasions where gossips can get together."

Rush will preside over the summit with the help of Richard Johnson, editor of the New York Post's Page Six, and Rush's wife and fellow gossip scribe, Joanna Molloy. The duo share "Rush and Molloy," a syndicated column in the New York Daily News, and host a live celebrity talk show on eYada five days a week.

In addition to discussing the state of the rumor mill on the Web, summit attendees will trade dish with each other on the gossip stories of the year and meet with celebrities and their publicists.

"I'd like for each side to understand what it's like being on the opposite side of the playing field," Rush says. "Old scores could be settled, but I'd like to let stars know how difficult our jobs really are."

EYada's president hopes for the same.

"It's interesting because gossip is a well-recognized and well-established form of journalism," says Bob Meyrowitz, a former television and radio producer. "We'd just like to see it get more respect."

And celebrities benefit as well, says Meyrowitz, who plans to make the summit an annual event. "I think most stars realize that although it can be upsetting to be followed all the time, it's worse not to be noticed," he says. (An eYada spokeswoman would not reveal if any invited celebrities have confirmed.)

In any case, Rush is looking forward to a successful event.

"We'll have to see what happens," he says. "But I'm sure everyone will be on their best behavior."